True Worship Music
Posted January 19, 2015
By JJFrancesco_NRT, Staff Reviewer
Church-based worship acts have become quite the niche market in the Christian music scene. In the tradition of acts like Hillsong, Vineyard UK offers their musical chops to put worship of the Savior into song with this latest release, Waterfalls.
What Works:
This is true worship music. Look at the name and the tracklisting, and you pretty much get exactly what you want and expect. God is the center of this album. All of the lyrics point to our Savior and to our relationship with Him ("Let the God who filled the oceans fill our hearts today"). At no point do the lyrics ever stray from this aim.
The varied vocalists do a solid job of carrying each song, and the melodies are uplifting, both emotionally and spiritually. Songs like the title track even carry an accessible "radio" vibe with a subtle piano backing and driving riffs. Choral vocal backing drives much of the music, creating an atmosphere that invites participation from listeners to enhance the worship call. "River Run High" has one of the more memorable choruses of the album, with an emotional undercurrent that deepens the earnestness of what is being sung.
What Doesn't:
Again, you get pretty much exactly what you would expect. If the common traits of the genre do not resonate with you, this probably won't be an album for you. Be it the simple and often-repeated lyrics or the predictable song structures, the album definitely carries the "what you see is what you get" feel.
Closing Thoughts:
It is good to worship our Creator in song. If one enjoys the common elements of the genre that has emerged as worship music, then this is another solid and pleasant offering to add to your collection. If one is seeking a different worship experience than is typically offered by the genre, be it through lyrics that shoot for more rich territory or offer a more intricate musical complexity, this probably isn't for you. For what it aims to do though, Waterfalls succeeds on every front and should certainly give Sunday worship services some solid new material.
Song to Download Now:
"Waterfalls" (Get it on iTunes here.) View All Music And Book Reviews By JJFrancesco_NRT | View JJFrancesco_NRT's Profile
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